Defensible Space
Environmental Rules
Mandated vegetation clearance zones around homes in fire hazard zones, including the 100-ft Zone 0/1/2 model used by California and other wildfire-prone states.
How Defensible Space Rules Differ by Place
Indio, CA: Indio Requires 100-Foot Defensible Space Zones
Heavy RestrictionsIndio mandates a 100-foot defensible-space clearance around buildings in wildfire hazard zones, split into three graduated zones (0, 1, and 2) with distinct vegetation rules.
Lake Elsinore, CA: Lake Elsinore Defensible Space Zone Rules
Heavy RestrictionsIn the City of Lake Elsinore, properties in Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space divided into Zone 0 (0-5 ft), Zone 1 (5-30 or 5-50 ft on steep slopes)…
Fort Collins, CO: Fort Collins Defensible Space Vegetation Rules
Few RestrictionsFort Collins adopted the state's 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code but stripped out every base-code section that would have mandated defensible-space vegetation clearance. Section…
Coconino County, AZ: Coconino County Wildfire Defensible Space Rules
Some RestrictionsUnincorporated Coconino County requires defensible space around structures inside the Wildland/Urban Interface whenever a project needs a landscape plan. The Zoning Ordinance sets…
Anaheim, CA: Anaheim Defensible Space Fire Rules
Some RestrictionsAnaheim's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, mapped by CAL FIRE under Municipal Code Section 16.40.020, and its Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area east of SR-55 and south of SR-91…
Bakersfield, CA: Bakersfield Hillside Zone Defensible Space Rule
Some RestrictionsIn Bakersfield's HD (Hillside Development) combining zone, buildings must keep a 30-foot firebreak clear of flammable vegetation. Bakersfield Municipal Code § 17.66.150 requires…
Cities & Counties with Defensible Space Rules
129 locations
California
Colorado
Other Environmental Rules Topics
Stormwater Management
Requirements for managing rainwater runoff on your property, including retention basins, permeable surfaces, and drainage plans.
Erosion Control
Rules to prevent soil erosion during construction and landscaping, including required sediment barriers and ground cover standards.
Coastal Development
Building restrictions near coastlines, including setbacks from the water, dune protection rules, and coastal commission permits.
Flood Zones
Building requirements for properties in FEMA flood zones, including elevation standards, flood insurance mandates, and construction limits.
Shoreline Management
Regulations for properties along lakes, rivers, and coastlines, including buffer zones, dock permits, and vegetation requirements.
Sea Wall & Bulkhead
Requirements for maintaining sea walls, bulkheads, and retaining structures on waterfront properties, including inspection schedules and repair obligations.
Mangrove Protection
Rules protecting mangrove trees and coastal vegetation, including trimming restrictions, removal prohibitions, and required setbacks from mangrove habitat.
Boat Dock Permits
Permits required to build or modify boat docks, lifts, and davits on waterfront properties, including size limits, setbacks, and environmental reviews.
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Limits on how long heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and passenger cars may idle, including bans near schools and residential areas.
Climate Emergency Mobilization
Local climate-emergency declarations and mobilization plans, including building electrification mandates, gas-hookup bans in new construction, and reach codes.
Sustainable Procurement
City rules requiring sustainable, recycled, or low-emissions products in municipal purchasing, and how those rules trickle down to contractors and concessions.
Cool Pavement
Reflective-coating road treatments deployed by LA Bureau of Street Services to reduce surface temps; pilot streets and expansion plans under Cool Streets LA.
Cool Roof Requirements
Mandatory high-reflectance roofing materials for new construction and reroofs. LA Green Building Code thresholds and Title 24 Pt 6 baseline.
Heat Island Mitigation
Citywide programs to reduce urban heat, tree canopy goals, cool surfaces, shade structures at bus stops, and cooling-center requirements during heat waves.
Flood Elevation Requirements
FEMA NFIP minimum base flood elevation (BFE) construction standards for properties in mapped flood zones, including freeboard requirements above BFE.